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Re: A Modest Call for A Reformation of Ordained Zen Leadership

Hello again,

just a few thoughts regarding this article.

On the one hand, it is important to focus in on modern day Soto practice, which is our tradition...on the other hand, I can't help but think that the question is actually a bigger one involving Buddhism in the West in general.

My personal prediction is that in 50 years time, less than half a dozen buddhist organisations and/or slightly more clearly defined movements in the west will represent more than 80 percent of all practitioners (in the West). If you're not part of that half a dozen, one's views about how Buddhism should be practised/ what a monk/priest/minister is... will refer to only a handful of people anyhow. If you have no definition-power in terms of numbers of people somehow accepting/adhering to that definition, issues such as the nature of Zen priesthood are of little significance to the wider world IMHO.

Obviously this whole question opens up yet another can of worms, which is the question regarding the boundary between "spreading the dharma" and proselytizing.... and every shade of grey in between.